Changing a Court Order

If either parent believes circumstances have changed since the maintenance order or agreement was made, he or she can work with the other parent to come to a new agreement or file a court application to get a new maintenance order from the court.

Some of the reasons to change the maintenance order or agreement:

increase or decrease maintenance payments

reduce or cancel maintenance arrears

clarify expenses for a child

confirm if maintenance is still due for a child over 19

work out parenting arrangements

The recipient or payor must let us know if they start any negotiations or legal action to change the maintenance order or agreement. Until a new maintenance order or agreement is filed in court, the existing one is still in effect and FMEP will continue to enforce it. If either parent has concerns about this, he or she should contact us to discuss the matter.

It is important we get a filed copy of the new maintenance order or agreement as soon as possible to ensure our payments records reflect the new amounts due.